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A message from our president... My message this month is an expanded version of my remarks on Rosh Hashanah. Over the last 14 months I have had conversations with many of you. It has been the best part of my responsibilities. Stories you have shared have inspired me. I have heard wonderful ideas and positive feedback. I have also heard concerns and criticism as well. I find that

learning a person’s story and about their journey through life helps one understand another person’s point of view and not make fast judgments about their character. Recently I met with a member of our congregation. Her purpose in meeting with me was to express a concern, not to tell me her life’s story. However it is worth sharing. Before I learned about her concern, this woman was kind and patient enough to tell me her remarkable story. I had seen her at services on most Shabbats. She has a very warm and engaging smile. Her way of greeting me gave me a window into the soul of a caring and open heart. I learned that she was born into a dysfunctional family besieged with the disease of alcoholism. Married at 20 with a new baby, she lost her husband to an accident. She was totally alone in the world, without an education. She could not rely on her parents or other family members. As a young widow, government subsidized housing allowed her to take care of basic needs for herself and her son. At the time although she was grateful for governmental support, she said she felt like a victim and did not like that feeling. She realized that if she was not independent enough to take care of herself, and did not get an education she would feel like a victim all her life. In all likelihood her child would probably follow in her footsteps. Although she was poor, she decided that the only way to avoid becoming a victim was to become even poorer. She had to move out of government housing, get a job, obtain an education and one day become independent enough that she could become a caregiver rather than being the recipient of care. She went to work, earned enough to pay for child care and obtained a graduate degree and licensure as a psychologist. She worked at Catholic Charities and in the St. Luke’s Health System. More recently, she worked with inmates at a correctional center. She was a very successful mom. Her son served in the United States Army and trained to parachute into enemy territory. Mom made sure that both she and her son always had health insurance before and after his army service. After serving in the Army, as a civilian her son had a horrendous parachute accident which nearly took his life. Mom spent day and night, by his side, throughout his hospitalization, his recovery and his rehabilitation.

Fortunately, he recovered, completed a graduate college degree and now has a wife and a successful career. A remarkable recovery. Where would he be if he had not followed in the footsteps of his incredible role model mom? After she told me her story I learned about the real reason she wanted to talk to me. She questioned whether B’nai Jehudah was the congregation in which she could continue to express her Judaism. Brought up as a strict Christian, she converted to Judaism as an adult five years ago. She came to B’nai Jehudah and found a warm and welcoming community. Her conversion to Judaism was based upon three reasons: 1. She was very impressed that the Jewish people placed such a high value on education. 2. She perceived that Jews established a high bar for ethical standards. AND 3. Jews focus on REPAIRING the entire world not just the Jewish community. She remarried late in life and her Christian husband supports her Judaism. She is at services nearly every week. She is an enthusiastic and engaged member of our congregation. She is presently studying to become a Bat Mitzvah. Throughout her life she was a liberal. During her life’s journey, her political views changed and she became a conservative.

Why was she beginning to feel uncomfortable in our congregation? She was comfortable with her perception that Reform congregations generally have more liberals. This was not why she felt uncomfortable. She realized that people had different views on politics, economics and the level of government control. But because of the tone and vitriolic nature of political comments from people, she was concerned that because her views were different, she was not welcome in our community. The comments she heard were not stated in a manner consistent with our values of OPEN HEARTS, HOLINESS AND COMMON DECENCY. My friend now realizes that our B’nai Jehudah community has people with many opinions about politics, economics, and the role of government. You name it we have it. Our conversations just need to be guided by our values of Open Hearts, Holiness and Common Decency. We can state our true feelings. We can be open minded in trying to understand the opinions of others. The tone and emotional manner in which we express our differing opinions, can harm or help us perpetuate a warm and welcoming community. Lesson learned is that we need to be in dialog with one another. How we talk to one another and how we express our opinions is so very important. Ken Sigman, President kens@millercares.com 816-516-1001

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UPCOMING SERVICE TIMES

UPCOMING SERVICE TIMES Friday, October 5 5:30 pm: Bisseleh Nosh 6:00 pm: Erev Shabbat Service Saturday, October 6 10:30 am: Shabbat Morning Service Bar Mitzvah: Ross Tretiak Parashat Bereshit Friday, October 12 5:30 pm: Bisseleh Nosh 6:00 pm: Erev Shabbat Service

Saturday, October 13 10:30 am: Shabbat Morning Service Bar Mitzvah: Noah Reif Parashat Noach Friday, October 19 5:30 pm: Bisseleh Nosh 6:00 pm: Erev Shabbat Service Saturday, October 20 10:30 am: Shabbat Morning Service Bat Mitzvah: Alexandra Freidan Parashat Lech L’cha

Friday, October 26 5:30 pm: Bisseleh Nosh 6:00 pm: Erev Shabbat Service Saturday, October 27 10:30 am: Shabbat Morning Service Parashat Vayera

B’NAI MITZVAH

Ross Robert Tretiak, son of Carla and Andy Tretiak, will celebrate becoming a Bar Mitzvah during the 10:30 am Shabbat service on October 6, 2018. Ross is a 7th grade student at Overland Trail Middle School. He participates in Lacrosse, baseball, basketball and is in the Blue Valley gifted and talented program. For his tzedakah project, Ross prepared and delivered meals for the Kansas City homeless through the Uplift Organization outreach program. To donate or volunteer, visit www.uplift.org. Noah David Reif, son of Loren and Jason Reif will celebrate becoming a Bar Mitzvah during the 10:30 am Shabbat service on October 13, 2018. Noah is a 7th grade student at Leawood Middle School. He participates in Kesher. Noah loves playing basketball and baseball and wrestles through Blue Valley North. He is passionate about sports and vintage cars. His other interest are photography and photo editing and taking care of his tortoise, Bentley. For his tzedakah project, Noah volunteered several times this summer feeding hundreds of people at the Independence Boulevard Christian Church with Micah Ministries and other B’nai Jehudah volunteers. Alexandra Natalie Freidan, daughter of Rebecca Dragon-Freiden and Jonathan Freiden, will celebrate becoming a Bat Mitzvah during the 10:30 am Shabbat service on October 20, 2018. Rebecca is a 7th grade student at The Barstow School. She plays flute, soccer, basketball and tennis. She also loves swimming and reading. For her tzedakah project, Alexandra volunteered at the Jewish Family Services food pantry. She prepared boxes of food for refugee families in the Kansas City community. She also made regular monthly food deliveries to homebound clients from the JFS pantry. In addition, Alexandra collected small bottles of hygiene products for the JFS pantry and other shelters in need of those supplies.

WE WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS

Linda & David Cooper

Jennifer Forman-Wright & Brian Wright Keely and Livia

Lisa & Eric Ginsburg Avery and Mia

Susan & Bob Greenberg

Janice & Steve Hendler

Debbie & Jay Lubin

Patricia Neyman Benjamin Wolter

Aviva Renoux Grant, Griffin, Justice, Phoenix, Pierce

Sonja Roper Aaron, Asher, Effie

Liz & Will Ruder Leo, Miriam

Elizabeth Schoetz & Matt Muehlbauer Jacob, Samantha

Herb Spiegel

Nicole Sztokman & Sam Taylon

Amy Zemelman

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B’NAI JEHUDAH BROTHERHOOD

Living and strengthening L’Dor V’ Dor with Family, B’nai Jehudah and Judaism Brotherhood completes (another) RARE DOUBLE HEADER The first day of Religious School was again a day of teamwork, family, education and fun as it began with our complimentary ANNUAL PANCAKE DAY BREAKFAST for B’nai Jehudah students and families, faculty and staff. Almost 400 delicious pancakes were served. That was followed immediately after school by our ANNUAL FAMILY FISHING DERBY, which was held at Leawood Park Lake on Tomahawk Pkwy. It began with lunch and that was quickly followed by “I CAUGHT ONE” and it was a “first fish I ever caught”. This was a really fun afternoon with lots of family, food and fishing. Many kids caught their first fish.

Almost 130 attended including several three generational families… Thank you to all of our Brotherhood Members and friends who prepared and served breakfast and helped to plan and produce the Derby. And to Scheels, Dicks Sporting Goods and Walmart, which provided gift cards and prizes to be given for each kid’s first fish and to BURGERFI and Ben Nathan for preparing and donating our ‘hot dog’ lunch. We will now plan to have the Fishing Derby each year on the first day of Religious School, as the spring planning schedule and uncertain weather made this time frame problematic. YOUR SUPPORT of BROTHERHOOD helps us to continue programming like this.

TRIVIA NIGHT SPONSORED BY BROTHERHOOD Saturday, November 10 6:30 pm Have fun with a men vs. women point total for the 2nd annual “Kiddush Cup” Contest This fun and free competition is open to all B’nai Jehudah members and friends. Limit total 64 players with 32 per gender. Light Snacks and coffee and desert will be served. If you have questions or would like to sign up, contact Chuck Siegel (csiegel@pobox.com) before 9/21/18.

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Daily Minyan Monday—Thursday 5:45pm,

Sunday 11:30am

Holiday Exceptions: Federal holidays, when the office is closed, minyan is

held at 9:30am the morning of the holiday. For Jewish holidays,

holiday services replace daily minyan.

Turn It and Turn It Again Jewish Texts Throughout the Ages

CLASSES ARE ON BREAK UNTIL AFTER THE HIGH HOLIDAYS. CLASSES WILL RESUME WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17.

Weekly Torah Portion With Rabbi Nemitoff and Rabbi Smiley Wednesdays at 10:00 – 11:30 am This seminar focuses on the weekly Torah reading with occasional excursions to other elements of Jewish life.

Talmud Study With Rabbi Padorr Wednesdays at 11:30 am – 12:30 pm Yevamot: a discussion about procreation: is there an obligation to raise children? How many? Gender? How do we take these Talmudic discussions and apply them to our community and lives today?

Join the rabbis of the Talmud for a dynamic discussion of Judaism and Jewish law and behavior: a way of thinking and looking at the world then and now. We are looking at various aspects of the relationship between spouses: inception of marriage, during the marriage, after the marriage whether by divorce or death. We study in English and its relevance for today’s world. Please join us as we continue our stimulating discussions. For information please call Rabbi Beryl Padorr, Shared Vision Coordinator (913-663-1805; sharedvision@bnaijehudah.org). Or just show up!

ADULT LEARNING

PB&J – Providing Sandwiches Join us as we create 225 PB&J sandwiches

the Third Monday in October (October 15) from 1:00 – 3:00 latest. These sandwiches benefit Micah Ministries and Center of Grace Church, two agencies serving the most vulnerable in our community. Contact Sharon Mallin (smallin3@gmail.com ) for more information or call the office (913-663-4050). Micah Ministries – Serving Food Monday, October 15 5:00 – 7:00 pm 606 Gladstone Blvd, KCMO 64124

While we do not provide transportation, there are a group of dedicated volunteers who will give you the low-down on this particular Mitzvah.

Halloween Candy Drop Off On Sunday, November 6, bring your unwanted Halloween candy to B’nai Jehudah and place it in the special drop box. The candy will be distributed to Truman Medical Center and Research Hospital. This is the third year of this Halloween Candy Buy-Back initiative.

SOCIAL ACTION

OCTOBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Celebrating 10 Years

Alexandra & Keith Drill Lauryn & Dave Glass Celebrating 40 Years or More

Linda & Richard Bell Norma & Ken Buchwach

Diane & Mark Davidner Margaret & Larry Goldstein Sandy & Phillip Gonsher Roz & Fred Goodman Judy & Bud Kahn Joyce & Jimmy Kaplan Susie & Keith Morantz Harriet & Sonny Radetsky Anna & David Semidubersky Ileene & Steven Simon Sally & Gordon Slabotsky

Lunch and Learn

Wednesday, October 3 11:45 am

Peter Newman will speak on "From Vienna to Kansas City,

A Holocaust Story"

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B’NAI JEHUDAH SISTERHOOD - The benefits are never ending

RABBI NEMITOFF'S DISCRETIONARY FUND

TZEDAKAH

Judith & Laurence Mayer

WEDDING VOW RENEWAL

Cary & Chuck Morris

YAHRZEIT

Archie Bercu

Barbara & Robert Bloch

Sheilah Kocherov

Simon Partnoy

Susan Dolginoff

Milton Rosenblatt

Debbie & Mike Saferstein

Joseph Cohen

Hildy & Pat Flanigan

David Minkin

Barbara & Jerry Freidberg

Harry Robinson

Carol & Allan Robinson

Jean Vegder

Nancy & Ron Leu

RABBI SMILEY'S DISCRETIONARY FUND

MEMORY

Dr. Jerome Grunt

Suzy Siegler Rieber

Dr. Jerome & Hope Grunt

Becca & William Yord

JACOB AND ELIZABETH BLUM TEMPLE CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUND

MEMORY

Gertrud Berkowitz

Sidney Berkowitz

Cilli Bock

Peter Dale

Dee Dee Dale

Carol Dale & Barney Mayse

Celia Richey

Lenny Davis

Carol Dale & Barney Mayse

Samantha & Brian Cabrera

BRAEMAN FAMILY EDUCATION FUND

YAHRZEIT

Aaron Braeman

Roslyn Braeman Payne

BUILDING FUND

YAHRZEIT

Mariam Friedmann

Tom Friedmann

DEWITT FAMILY FLOWER FUND

TZEDAKAH

Kathy & Bob DeWitt

MOSSEL-MILLER DWORKIN EDUCATION FUND

YAHRZEIT

Alex Kratchman

Arnold Kratchman

GENERAL FUND

ANNIVERSARY

Robin & Bill Carr

Cynthia & Arthur Liebenthal

CONVERSION

Kate Bender

Gail & Harry Himmelstein

HIGH HOLIDAYS

High Holidays 5779

Sari & Jeff Brockner

Harriet & Ron Jacobson

HONOR

Milton Brod

Steve Jagoda

MEMORY

Larry Blumenthal

Jason King

Fran Carbley

Ann F. Gay

Mary & Mark Greenberg

Morris Merker

Jenny & John Isenberg

Brooks Schwarz

Jocelyn & John Fry

YAHRZEIT

Estelle Abelson

Susan & Glenn Abelson

Dave Belzer

Fayna Belzer

Carolyn Rose Berlau

Charles Berlau

Morrie Bratman

Bruce Bratman

Bernard Davis

Diane Ravis

Patricia Donnelly

Donna & Ward Katz

Frances Wang Gershon

Rebecca Dragon Freiden & Jonathan Freiden

Max Hecht

Scott Hecht

Golybov Moysey Iosifovich

Yefim Sirota

Edith Kaplan

Susan & Glenn Abelson

Alvin Karner

Jean Karner

Meyer H. Kraft

Marcia Schoenfeld & Fred Greenstein

Jake Levin

Lee Levin

Claire Magady

Howard Rosenberg

Getz G. Magady

Irving Millstein

Gertie Millstein

Sara Mittelman

Marie & Phil Koffman & Family

Lottie Pick

Eldy Pick

Gustave Pollet

Gayle, Steve, Jeremy, Witney, Danielle & Justin Jagoda

Michael Rosenberg

Sam Rosenberg

Bruce Bratman

Harry Seligson

Rose Haith Seligson

Ted Seligson

Lyusya Sirota

Yefim Sirota

Raymond H. Starr

Norton Starr

John Weil Uhlmann

The John Uhlmann Family

Betty Ann Weissman

Rose Carr

Rosie Wienshienk

Judy Kahn

Charlotte Wolf

Beverly & Justin Johl

MITZVAH GARDEN

MEMORY

Audree Milgram Klein Baer

Gabrielle Handler

PRESCHOOL FUND

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DONATIONS

MEMORY

Harry Kreiter

Janet & Louis Bordman

YAHRZEIT

Rose Bordman

Janet & Lou Bordman

Simon Partnoy Lynda & Edward Caviar

SOCIAL ACTION/HUNGER FUND

ANNIVERSARY

Marsha & Chuck Levey

Cynthia Lieberman & Larry Racunas

BIRTHDAY

Shirley Morantz

Golda Mayer

MEMORY

Barbara Sherman

Ann Stern & Leonard Glass

YAHRZEIT

Wilber Fulkerson

Leah & Lenny Bassin

Leonard Herman

Karen & Michael Herman

Ernest D. Mayer

Golda Mayer

WENDY TALBOT MEMORIAL YOUTH-IN-CRISIS OUTREACH TEMPLE FUND

YAHRZEIT

Tracy Lynn Mopper

Wendy Renee Talbot

Hope & Marshall Talbot

JACK S. TRANIN SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND

YAHRZEIT

Sam Hipsh

David Kupperman

Maurene Kupperman

Barbara & Ted O'Connor

SISTERHOOD FUNDS HELEN S. GREEN MEMORIAL PULPIT FLOWER/FOOD BASKET FUND

MEMORY

Moris Merker

Rosalie Bovos

We Remember

Audree Baer

Aunt of Sally Milgram

Miriam Krantz Mother of Rachel Krantz

Brooks Schwarz

Husband of Julie Swartz Father of Sam, Charlie, Haydn

and Austin Cherished Member

Barbara Sherman

Sister of Lois Bernstein

Ruth Spielman Cherished Member

David Waldberg

Brother of Bill Waldberg Uncle of Ed Waldberg and

Mitch Waldberg

DONATIONS Donations to the synagogue are

always greatly appreciated. Due to the increased administrative and postage costs necessary to notify recipients of your generous gifts, we ask that each donation be $18

or more per requested notification. Thank You!

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12320 NALL AVENUE OVERLAND PARK, KS 66209

PHONE: 913-663-4050 / FAX: 913-906-9544 WEB: WWW.BNAIJEHUDAH.ORG

Dated material -do not delay. Return service requested.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Kansas City, Mo.

Permit No. 721

The next bulletin will be the November 2018 issue. The deadline for the November bulletin is Oct. 5. If you have any questions about the Temple Bulletin please contact Jeanne Adler, at 913-663-2641.

RABBIS Rabbi Arthur P. Nemitoff, Senior Rabbi Rabbi Sarah Smiley, Rabbi

OFFICERS Ken Sigman, President Amy Bryant, Vice President Adam Cohen, Vice President Amanda Morgan King, Vice President Sharon Iseman, Secretary/Treasurer Jocelyn Fry, President-Elect ADMINISTRATION Jeanne Adler, FTA, Executive Director Michelle Cox, Music Director Dayna Gershon, Director of Formal & Informal Education Rabbi Beryl Padorr, Shared Vision Coordinator Emily Williams, Assistant Director of Education

EMERITUS Michael R. Zedek, Rabbi Emeritus